Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer Aniston Biography

Born in Sherman Oaks, California, Jennifer Aniston spent a year of her childhood living in Greece with her family. Her family then relocated to New York City where her parents, actors John Aniston and Nancy Dow, divorced when she was 9. Jennifer was raised by her mother and her father landed a role, as "Victor Kiriakis", on the daytime soap "Days of Our Lives" (1965). Jennifer had her first taste of acting at age 11 when she joined the Rudolf Steiner Schools drama club. It was also at the Rudolf Steiner School that she developed her passion for art. She began her professional training as a drama student at New Yorks School of Performing Arts, aka the "Fame" school. It was a division of Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and the Arts. In 1987, after graduation, she appeared in such Off-Broadway productions as "For Dear Life" and "Dancing on Checkers Grave". In 1989, she landed her first television role, as a series regular on "Molloy" (1989). She also appeared in "The Edge" (1992), "Ferris Bueller" (1990), and had a recurring part on "Hermans Head" (1991). By 1993, she was floundering. Then, in 1994, a pilot called "Friends Like These" came along. Originally asked to audition for the role of "Monica", Aniston refused and auditioned for the role of "Rachel Green", the suburban princess turned coffee peddler. With the success of the series "Friends" (1994), Jennifer has become famous and sought-after as she turns her fame into movie roles during the series hiatus.

(2002) She offered to be Matthew Perry s personal trainer in a bid to help him lose weight.

(2002) Was named one of the "50 Most Beautiful People" by People Magazine.

(January 11, 2002) She and husband Brad Pitt reached a settlement with Damiani International Jewelers. The pair claimed the company agreed to never reproduce their wedding rings, but it manufactured and sold "Brad and Jennifer" rings in 18-karat white or yellow gold for about $1,000 apiece. Under the settlement, Pitt will design jewelry for Damiani that Aniston will model in ads, and Damiani will stop selling the "Brad and Jennifer" copies.

(6/24/02) U.S. District Judge Ronald Lew ruled that her lawsuit against two magazine publishers for printing topless photos of her will proceed without a jury because her lawyers failed to demand a jury when the lawsuit was filed in 2000 and that he would render a verdict himself. Aniston sued Mans World Publications Inc. and Crescent Publishing Group, claiming that paparazzi scaled an eight-foot wall to photograph her as she sunbathed in the backyard of her home in February of 1999. The pictures appeared later that year in the magazines Celebrity Skin, High Society, Celebrity Sleuth, the Italian magazine Eva Tremila, the English newspaper Daily Sport and the French publication Voici.

Long-time friend of actress Andrea Bendewald. They both attended Manhattans High School for the Performing Arts. Bendewald was maid of honor at Anistons wedding to Brad Pitt on July 29, 2000. And Aniston was matron of honor at Bendewalds wedding to actor Mitch Rouse on August 19, 2001.

Photographer Francois Navarre agreed on 11/20/03 to pay her $550,000 in damages for taking pictures of her as she sunbathed topless in her back yard.

She and Brad Pitt are campaigning in the United States to save "EastEnders" (1985) from being axed over there.

Was a schoolmate of Chaz Bono.

Voted as #11 on the "Top 100 Sexiest Women 2004" in FHM [DK].

Often plays a waitress - her characters in "Friends" (1994) , Office Space (1999) , The Iron Giant (1999) and Along Came Polly (2004) were all waitresses.

At one point in 2003, was filming "Friends" (1994) , Bruce Almighty (2003) , and Along Came Polly (2004) simultaneously.

Has a fear of flying.

Announced on 1/7/05 that she and husband Brad Pitt were separating after 4-1/2 years of marriage. Filed for divorce on 3/25/05, citing irreconcilable differences. Their divorce was finalized on 10/2/05.

Stepdaughter of Sherry Rooney.

Had worked as a telemarketer, bike messenger and waitress before making it as an actor.

Her middle name, Joanna, was her father John Aniston s mothers name.

Though shes half Greek, she does not like Greek food, but loves Mexican. She and Brad Pitt used to eat Mexican food and drink margaritas three times a week. She is also not fond of Chinese, Indian or and other spicy foods.

She and "Friends" (1994) co-star Lisa Kudrow both auditioned to be regular cast members of "Saturday Night Live" (1975) prior to their success on "Friends" (1994).

In 2003 she was ranked #1 on Forbes 2003 "Celebrity 100 List" According to the magazine, she made $35 million in 2003.

Invented "The Rachel", a famous hairstyle in the 90s, which was copied by a lot of women and drew much attention to her.

Has a younger half-brother, Alexander Aniston [b. 1989].

2005 - appeared in Heineken TV commercial frequently aired before UEFA Champions League (in Europe). The Turtles song "Happy Together" is also used in this commercial.

Was named "Woman of the Year" by GQ magazine in 2005

Named #88 on the Maxim magazine "Hot 100 of 2005" list.

Behind the scenes of "Friends" (1994) , Aniston was very close friends with co-star Matthew Perry .

Named #41 in FHMs "100 Sexiest Women in the World 2005" special supplement.

Met ex-husband Brad Pitt on a blind date.

Was #1 on American publication Peoples annual Best Dressed List in 2006.

Best friend of Courteney Cox.

Was originally slated to play Mariane in A Mighty Heart (2007).

Good friend of Andrea Buchanan. They both directed the short film, Room 10 (2006).

Named #45 in FHM magazines "100 Sexiest Women in the World 2006" supplement.

Has two dogs, Norman (a corgi-terrier mix) and Dolly (a white German shepherd).

Said that yoga helped her to recover from her split with Brad Pitt.

Her niece was born in 1998.

Half-sister-in-law of Shannon Melick.

Her birth name is Jennifer Aniston, not Jennifer Anastasakis. Her father John Aniston had changed the spelling of his last name to Aniston from Anastasakis before his marriage to Nancy Dow , and the last name that appears on Jennifers birth certificate is Aniston.

Nationally famous Finnish songwriter Anssi Kela has written a song called "Jennifer Aniston". The tragic story is about a paper mill that was moved to China resulting in many people left unemployed. Jennifer Aniston appears in the "singers" recurring dream. The song was released in the album "Rakkaus" on Murhaa 10/19/2005.

In 2007, Forbes Magazine estimated her earnings for the year at $14 million.

Noted that she was inspired to direct Room 10 (2006) by actress Gwyneth Paltrow , who directed a short film in 2006.

Her French dubbing voice Dorothée Jemma is also the French dubbing voice of Melanie Griffith and Sheryl Lee.

Her Czech dubbing voice is actress Miriam Chytilová.

She started to train in karate, encouraged by her best friend, Courteney Cox Arquette, who holds a brown belt in the sport.

Born at 10:22 PM (PST).

Is of Greek (fathers side) and Italian and Scottish (mothers side) descent.

Lives in Los Angeles, California.

Good friend of Catherine Keener and Jason Bateman , since 1995.

Was among the guests at Adam Sandler s wedding to Jackie Sandler . Adam and Jennifer had been friends since the early 90s.

Appeared twice on the cover of GQ magazine: December 05 and January 09.

Friend of Amanda Ingber , who is also her yoga instructor.

Had a ceremony to place her hand and footprints in concrete at Graumans Chinese Theater on July 8, 2011. Jason Bateman and Chelsea Handler gave speeches in her honor, while her boyfriend, Justin Theroux , sat in attendance.

Ranked #43 in the 2011 FHM Australia list of "100 Sexiest Women in the World".

Is in relationship with Justin Theroux. They had known each other for years before working together on the film Wanderlust (2012).

Named the "Hottest Woman of All Time" by Mens Health magazine [December 10, 2011].

Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on February 22, 2012. Adam Sandler , Malin Akerman , and Kathryn Hahn gave speeches in her honor, while boyfriend Justin Theroux and father John Aniston sat in attendance.

Played basketball in 8th grade and volleyball in 9th grade, when she attended The Rudolf Steiner School in New York City.

(August 10, 2012) Became engaged to her boyfriend of 15 months Justin Theroux on his 41st birthday.

Aunt of Eilish K. Melick.

Was considered for the role of Rose Dewitt Bukater in James Cameron s Titanic (1997).

Jennifer Aniston Quotes

When somebody follows you 20 blocks to the pharmacy, where they watch you buy toilet paper, you know your life has changed.

Its impossible to satisfy everyone, and I suggest we all stop trying.

[on her marriage to Brad Pitt , after two years] Everybody always asks if were happy. Give me a break. Were married two years. In Hollywood years, thats forever.

[on the constant rumors surrounding her split from Brad Pitt ] There is always going to be the tough and the nasty. You just tune out to that.

[on the irony of the title of her movie, The Break-Up (2006) ] Well, you know. I figured just seize the moment.

I always say, "Dont make plans, make options."

If we can say, "I loved, and I received a lot of love," then great. Thats enough.

Ive learned that you can get through things that hurt. Nothing will kill you. Nothing. People are unbelievable. we have such resilience.

[about her divorce from Brad Pitt ] A man divorcing would never be accused of choosing career over children. That really pissed me off. Ive never in my life said I dont want to have children. I did and I do and I will! The women who inspire me are the ones who have careers and children; why would I want to limit myself? Ive always wanted to have children, and I would never give up that experience for a career. I want to have it all.

[on seeing pictures of Angelina Jolie and her ex-husband Brad Pitt together] I will not let myself down like that -- I also know what feels good and it doesnt feel good to harbor anger and resentment... We do have tools to work through stuff. Everybody does. (Good Morning America 2005)

The most unconditional love that you can encounter is with a dog. Theyre excited the minute you come home, and they show the same amount of excitement everyday. Theyre loyal and theyre always, always faithful.

I would say I couldnt be in a relationship without equality, generosity, integrity, spirit, kindness and humor. And awesomeness!

(1996) Music video: Appeared in 'Tom Petty' & The Heartbreakers video "Walls".

(1998) TV commercial: L'Oréal Elnett hairspray.

Music video: Appeared in 'The Rembrandts' ' video "I'll Be There For You"

(2001) Music video: Appeared in 'Melissa Etheridge' 's "I Want To Be In Love" video.

(2002) Print advertisement: Damiani jewelry.

(2001) TV commercial: Heineken beer.

(2006) Was interviewed in an episode of "Talking Movies" (1999) about the 2006 Sundance Film Festival. The other interviewees were 'Josh Hartnett (I)' , 'Shia LaBeouf' (as Shia La Boeuf) and 'Chris Gorak' .